Advanced English Grammar: Noun Clauses

Summary

In this advanced grammar lesson, Adam dives deep into the concept of noun clauses, explaining their role in complex sentences. He covers how noun clauses function as subjects, objects, subject complements, and objects of prepositions. Adam also highlights the conjunctions that initiate noun clauses, such as 'that,' 'who,' and 'what,' and discusses when they can be omitted. With clear examples, he demonstrates how understanding noun clauses can improve writing and reading comprehension, particularly for tests like IELTS and TOEFL. The lesson is an essential guide for anyone looking to master the use of noun clauses in English grammar.

Takeaways

• 😀 A clause is a combination of words that must contain a subject and a verb. Every sentence has at least one independent clause.
• 😀 A noun clause is a type of dependent clause, which cannot stand alone and must be part of a sentence with an independent clause.
• 😀 Conjunctions such as 'that', 'which', 'who', 'whom', 'what', and others are used to introduce noun clauses and connect them to independent clauses.
• 😀 Some conjunctions can serve dual purposes as both the conjunction and the subject of the noun clause, such as 'who', 'what', 'whoever', and 'whomever'.
• 😀 The noun clause can function in various roles within a sentence, including as the subject, object, subject complement, and more.
• 😀 As a subject, a noun clause answers the question 'What is doing the action?' For example: 'What she wore to the party really turned some heads.'
• 😀 As an object, a noun clause answers the question 'What or whom is the action being done to?' For example: 'Please ask mom what we’re having for dinner.'
• 😀 Noun clauses can also function as subject complements, providing additional information about the subject, especially with linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.
• 😀 Noun clauses can be objects of prepositions, such as 'for', 'about', or 'to'. For example: 'She should not be held responsible for what her brother does.'
• 😀 The structure of a sentence can include multiple noun clauses acting as both the subject and the object, creating complex sentences that combine both independent and dependent clauses.

Q & A

What is a noun clause?

A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun within a sentence. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and is usually part of a larger sentence, either as a subject, object, or complement.

How does a noun clause differ from an independent clause?

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a noun clause cannot. A noun clause depends on an independent clause for its meaning and structure.

What are some common conjunctions that can introduce a noun clause?

Some common conjunctions that introduce noun clauses include 'that', 'which', 'who', 'what', 'if', 'whether', 'when', 'where', 'how', and 'why'.

Can the word 'that' always be used in noun clauses?

'That' is often implied and can be omitted in noun clauses, especially when the meaning is clear without it.

What role does the conjunction 'who' play in noun clauses?

'Who' can function both as a conjunction introducing a noun clause and as the subject of that clause. It can act as a subject, while 'whom' is used as an object.

In what way can noun clauses be used as subjects in sentences?

Noun clauses can act as the subject of an independent clause. For example, in the sentence 'What she wore to the party really turned some heads,' the noun clause 'What she wore to the party' is the subject of the verb 'turned'.

How can a noun clause function as an object?

A noun clause can function as an object of a verb or a preposition. For example, in 'Please ask mom what we're having for dinner,' the noun clause 'what we're having for dinner' is the object of the verb 'ask'.

What is the difference between an object of a verb and an object of a preposition in relation to noun clauses?

An object of a verb answers the question 'what' or 'whom' about the verb, while an object of a preposition follows a preposition like 'for', 'about', or 'to', and completes its meaning. Noun clauses can serve as both types of objects.

What is a subject complement, and how does it relate to noun clauses?

A subject complement provides additional information about the subject, often following a linking verb like 'is' or 'seem'. A noun clause can act as a subject complement, as in 'Paul isn't what is generally considered handsome.'

How can a noun clause be used to add more detail to a sentence?

Noun clauses can be used to provide additional information or clarify a concept in a sentence. For instance, in 'I'm happy that you've decided to come,' the noun clause 'that you've decided to come' adds more detail to why the speaker is happy.